The Common Pursuit

The Common Pursuit by Frank Raymond Leavis, published by Penguin in 1976, is a collection of essays that presents the author’s robust defense of Milton against T.S. Eliot, alongside his deeply felt engagement with Shakespeare. This edition comprises 307 pages and is written in English, providing readers with a critical exploration of English literature through Leavis’s perspective.

In this book, Leavis articulates his views on the significance of literary study, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a focus on the texts themselves rather than allowing external sociological and political influences to shape literary criticism. Readers will find a thoughtful examination of key literary figures and a rigorous critique of contemporary approaches to literature, making it a significant contribution to the discourse on English literature and its history.